Dozen Queens schools get their ‘Reward’ from state for high academic marks

The New York State Education Department has identified 155 schools as Reward Schools, including 12 in Queens. Reward Schools are awarded for their high academic achievement as well as those who progress the most in the State.

In order to receive the recognition of being called a Reward School, a school must be in the top 20 percent of all schools in NYS for both the English Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments. In addition to the students’ performance, the schools must make significant progress in the 2016-17 school year, compared to 2015-16. High Schools also have to make sure that they have graduation rates that are above 80 percent.

Out of the 12 awarded in Queens, 10 are public schools. They include the Academy of Finance and Enterprise in Long Island City; the Baccalaureate School for Global Education in Astoria; M.S. 358 in Jamaica; P.S. 173 in Fresh Meadows P.S. 2 in Flushing; P.S. 213 in Oakland Gardens; P.S. 26 in Fresh Meadows; Queens College for Math, Science, and Technology in Flushing, Queens Gateway to Health Science Secondary School in Jamaica; and Queens High School Science at York College in Jamaica.

Two charter schools in Queens also earned Reward Schools recognition: The Academy of the City Charter School in Woodside and Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School.

Commissioner MaryEllen Elia of the NYSED announced the Reward Schools on Thursday, Feb. 1. Each school will also receive a certificate of recognition from the commissioner.

“The teachers and administrators at these Reward Schools work hard each day to raise the bar and give their students opportunities to achieve their dreams,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “The proof is in the results these schools have obtained and I am thrilled to celebrate their success.”